Aethelred the Unsleeping: Origin
Aethelred, a name whispered only in the hushed tones of forgotten libraries and crumbling temples, was not born of the infernal fires or the twisted will of a dark god. He predates such concepts. He is a being of pure, untainted antiquity, a fragment of a dawn before the dawn, slumbering within a sarcophagus unearthed by reckless adventurers within a forgotten, labyrinthine ruin. This ruin, a grotesque juxtaposition of sacred and profane, housed not only Aethelred’s tomb, but also remarkably well-preserved frescoes depicting the benevolent Luminary Goddess alongside Aethelred and other enigmatic figures – a disturbing tableau suggesting a complex and unsettling history.
Bloodline
His bloodline is a mystery shrouded in the mists of time. He possesses no discernible demonic lineage, defying easy categorization. There are whispers of an ancient race, predating even the gods themselves, beings of immense power and enigmatic purpose. Aethelred may be one of their last surviving remnants, a relic of an age beyond human comprehension.
Authority and Power
Aethelred's power is not one of fire and brimstone, but of subtle manipulation and temporal distortion. He commands a limited form of reality warping, able to subtly influence events and perceptions, whispering suggestions into minds, and even briefly altering the flow of time around him. His true capabilities remain unknown, glimpsed only in the fleeting moments before his teleportative vanishings.
Skills and Abilities
Beyond his reality-warping abilities, Aethelred possesses superhuman strength, speed, and reflexes, although he rarely resorts to direct conflict. His most potent weapon is his unsettling charisma and profound understanding of human psychology, allowing him to manipulate even the most resolute individuals.
- Reality warping (limited)
- Temporal distortion (limited)
- Superhuman physical capabilities
- Master manipulator and strategist
- Instantaneous teleportation
Significant Events
His awakening marked the first significant event in centuries. The adventurers, believing they'd found a powerful artifact, unintentionally unleashed a force beyond their comprehension. Aethelred’s single, meaningful gaze spoke volumes – a silent assessment of humanity, a judgment passed without words. His subsequent teleportations suggest a carefully planned agenda, hinting at a larger, more insidious goal yet to be revealed. The discovery of the frescoes presents the most perplexing event: Why was he depicted alongside the Luminary Goddess? Did they share a history? Or is it a sinister mockery? The answers, like Aethelred himself, remain elusive.